Cricket World Player Of The Week - Kumar Sangakkara

There were a number of worthy contenders for the latest Cricket World Player Of The Week award following the first full week of competition at the ICC Champions Trophy 2013.

High-class performances from members of all eight competing nations were weighed up but Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara has been chosen as the award winner.

His majestic innings of 134 not out against England steered his side to victory having been set 294 to win a game that they had to in order to stay in the competition.

What's more, his coolness under pressure helped the 1996 World Cup winners get home with almost three overs to spare.

In all, the left-hander hit 134 in 135 balls including 12 fours, one of them cracked behind square to win the match off Stuart Broad.

After the match, he said himself that his 15th century was one of his best innings in ODI cricket, and it was certainly one good enough to win the weekly award.

There were, however, plenty of challengers. Shikhar Dhawan deserves a special mention for his unbeaten 102 that hurried India to victory over the West Indies and 48 against Pakistan, Alastair Cook led by example with a brace of half-centuries for England and South African pair Hashim Amla and Colin Ingram also impressed.

For the bowlers, Ravindra Jadeja's haul of five for 36 against the West Indies including match-turning wickets, Ryan McLaren returned career-best figures of four for 19 against Pakistan and Mitchell McClenaghan picked up seven wickets in two matches before his side were eventually bundled out of the competition.